A failed candidate for Nigel Farage’s Reform party planned to charge voters to find out who he is… and make a profit doing it.
David McLennan asked his would-be constituents to pay £5 if they wanted to know more about him despite rejecting him at the ballot box twice.
He claimed the money was to cover the cost of tea and coffee despite his chosen venue only charging £1 per cup.
The former Westminster candidate for Livingston and West Lothian council candidate for Armadale, near Bathgate, hoped his pub meet and greet will turn round his electoral fortunes.
But a Labour party spokesman condemned the move and said: “Charging people to hear from someone who didn’t win is like paying to watch Nigel Farage on I’m a Celeb — all snake oil and no substance.”
They added that the successful Livingston candidate Gregor Poynton MP was “focused on delivering real change for the Livingston constituency, no ticket required.”
On social media retired police officer and property developer McLennan said: “One of the main messages I got when our [sic] leafleting was that nobody knew who their Reform Candidate for the area was.
“Well, I’ve fixed that.
“I’ll be starting bi-weekly meetings at the Cavalier Inn, Armadale and would be glad to welcome anyone interested in either joining Reform or just wanting to find out more.”
He then added there would be a “small cover charge of £5 to cover teas and coffees”.
The Cavalier Inn confirmed to the Sunday Mail it charges £1 a cup for both tea and coffee so the arrangement could have netted him a £4 profit per visitor unless he was paying the venue for use.
In July’s General Election McLennan secured third place with 3977 votes, beating Tory and Lib Dem candidates.
In the Armadale and Blackridge by-election in August he came third again with just 519 votes. Labour candidates won on both occasions.
A Reform spokesman said: “This meeting was set up by David without our knowledge. It was cancelled by our regional organiser well over a week ago when the cost came to light and won’t be happening again in the future.
“ Reform Scotland are fully focussed on rolling out our branch structure and preparing to give Scottish people a real option for change in 2026.
“The latest polling for Holyrood puts us neck and neck with the Tories, showing that Reform are about to become a real force in Scottish politics.”
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